Lifesaving SportThe Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is the National Governing Body for pool-based Lifesaving Sport - a sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation. Lifesaving Sport is the only sport whose skills are first learned for humanitarian purposes. As showcased in our new promotional video, Lifesaving Sport is a competitive and dynamic international sport, with a variety of fun and challenging activities that take place in and out of the water at swimming pools and the beach. It is also an important vehicle to engage young people in lifesaving and support drowning prevention. About Lifesaving Sport Lifesaving Sport Home About Pathways The History Meet our Athletes and Coaches All Sport Awards Competitions National Speed Lifesaving Championships National Lifesaving Championships Simulated Emergency Response Championship (SERC) Rookie Lifeguard Festivals Recognised Competitions Roles Officials Coaches Team Managers Competitor Organisers Event Roles Performance GBR Lifesaving Anti Doping Transgender Policy for Sport Records & Results Apply for National Records Records Results Latest News Events RLSS UK Shop Visit Shop Lifesaving Sport Equipment Officials, Coaches and Timekeepers Essentials National Lifesaving Championships 2026: Regional Heats Quick Links Rules Entries Officials and Volunteers Regional Heat Organisers Allocation of Additional Regional Qualifying Places Regions All Ireland East Midlands East North East North West Scotland South East South South West Wales West Midlands West Yorkshire Apply to volunteer at Regionals Registration & dates for your diary Deadline for entries to reach Redhill House 14 days before the date of the respective Regional Heat. Find applicable dates in Regions listed below. Window for Regional Heats 26 June - 25 October 2026 Deadline for Regional Results to reach Redhill House Within 72 hours of the event Trophies to be returned to Redhill House By Wednesday 4 November 2026 National Final Saturday 14 November 2026 Rules Please click the button below to read the National Lifesaving Championship (NLSC) Rules for 2026. If you have any technical queries about the rules, please contact [email protected] Read the Competition Rules Entries The deadline for entries is 14 days before the date of the respective Regional Heat. Please complete a registration form and make payment online to secure your place. Entry Requirements All competitors for the Championships must be in current individual category membership and hold a current RLSS UK qualification or award (please view the rules for accepted qualifications). All competitors must remain in membership throughout their participation in the competition. Membership If anyone is in doubt of their membership status, please contact the RLSS UK Membership team on 0300 3230 096. Find out more information about RLSS UK membership Prerequisites All competitors shall, at the date of entry, hold a current RLSS UK qualification (please view the rules for accepted qualifications). Dive starts Competitors who wish to dive will need to have completed the Dive Start checklist as below. Diving Competency Guidance Notes Terms and Conditions Before entering the competition, please ensure you have read and agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Notice. Read our Terms and Conditions Privacy Notice Protest Guide Protest Guide Officials and Volunteers Officials and volunteers (timekeepers and casualties, especially) are required for all Regional Heats. If you are interested in helping out, please contact the Regional Heat Organiser (RHO). Contact details for RHOs can be found in the regional heat details section. For questions about rules, please contact [email protected] Roles required Referee Deputy Referee Technical Officials Timekeepers Casualties Runners Marshalls Mascot Apply to volunteer at Regionals Regional Heat Organisers (RHO) Please ensure that you have confirmed: Your name and contact details An address for posting The date, time and venue of your heat Returns All RHOs are required to return: The results of the regional heat within 72 hours of the event or by 12 midday on 28 October 2026 A list of those moving forward to the final A copy of the initiatives used Regional Heat Organiser's Guide Regional Heat Organiser's Guide Allocation of Additional Regional Qualifying Places 2026 Each region will have one qualifying place to the finals. However, for regions that achieved a top 3 place at the 2025 Finals; an additional qualifying place in the same category will be awarded - View 2025 results here. Additional Regional Qualifying Places 2026 Regions All Ireland Regional Heat Organiser: John Doyle Contact: [email protected] Date: Saturday 26 September 2026 Time: 12noon - 5.15pm Venue: Belvedere College, Dublin, D01 TK25 Deadline for entry: Saturday 12 September 2026 Competitor Information: Referee: Results [Document to be provided] Initiative [Document to be provided] East Midlands Regional Heat Organiser: Karen Clark Contact: [email protected] Date: Saturday 12 September 2026 Time: 12noon - 5pm Venue: Alfreton Leisure Centre, Derbyshire, DE55 7BD Deadline for entry: 29 August 2026 Competitor Information: Referee: Results [Document to be provided] Initiative [Document to be provided] East RHO: Alison Pugh Contact: [email protected] Date: Sunday 19 July 2026 Time: 10.00am - 1.00pm Venue: Ipswich High School, Woolverstone, Ipswich, IP9 1AZ Deadline for entry: Sunday 5 July 2026 Competitor Information: Referee: Results [Document to be provided] Initiative [Document to be provided] North East RHO: TBC Contact: TBC Date: TBC Time: TBC Venue: TBC Deadline for entry: TBC Competitor Information: Referee: Results [Document to be provided] Initiative [Document to be provided] North West RHO: Em Serventi Contact: [email protected] Date: Saturday 10 October 2026 Time: 6.00pm - 9.00pm Venue: Nantwich Leisure Centre, Wall Lane, Nantwich CW5 5LS Deadline for entry: Saturday 26 September 2026 Competitor Information: Referee: Results [Document to be provided] Initiative [Document to be provided] Scotland RHO: TBC Contact: TBC Date: TBC Time: TBC Venue: TBC Deadline for entry: TBC Competitor Information: Referee: Results [Document to be provided] Initiative [Document to be provided] South East RHO: Paul Paulding Contact: [email protected] Date: Sunday 19 July 2026 Time: 1 pm Venue: Windlesham House School, Washington, Pulborough, West Sussex, RH20 4AY Deadline for entry: Sunday 5 July 2026 Competitor Information: Referee: Results [Document to be provided] Initiative [Document to be provided] South Regional Heat Organiser: Jill Bailey Contact: [email protected] Date: Saturday 3 October 2026 Time: 1.00pm - 5.00pm Venue: Places Leisure Eastleigh, Passfield Avenue, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 9NL Deadline for entry: Saturday 19 September 2026 Competitor Information: Referee: Results [Document to be provided] Initiative [Document to be provided] South West Regional Heat Organiser: Alan Sutherland Contact: [email protected] Date: Saturday 10 October 2026 Time: 1.30pm - Venue: Trinity Sports Leisure Centre, Chilton Street, Bridgwater, TA6 3JA Deadline for entry: Saturday 26 September 2026 Competitor Information: Referee: Results [Document to be provided] Initiative [Document to be provided] Wales Regional Heat Organiser: Aled Bowen Contact: [email protected] Date: Saturday 3 October 2026 Time: 1.00pm - 5.00pm Venue: Neath Leisure Centre, Water Street, Neath, SA11 3ER Deadline for entry: Saturday 19 September 2026 Competitor Information: Referee: Results [Document to be provided] Initiative [Document to be provided] West Midlands Regional Heat Organiser: Peter Halifax Contact: [email protected] Date: TBC Time: TBC Venue: Halesowen Leisure Centre, Great Cornbow, Halesowen B63 3AF Deadline for entry: TBC Competitor Information: Referee: Results [Document to be provided] Initiative [Document to be provided] West Regional Heat Organiser: Alan Sutherland Contact: [email protected] Date: Saturday 10 October 2026 Time: 1.30pm - Venue: Trinity Sports Leisure Centre, Chilton Street, Bridgwater, TA6 3JA Deadline for entry: Saturday 26 September 2026 Competitor Information: Referee: Results [Document to be provided] Initiative [Document to be provided] Yorkshire Regional Heat Organiser: Cathy Sedgewick Contact: [email protected] Date: Sunday 6 September 2026 Time: TBC Venue: John Charles Sports Centre, Middleton Grove, Belle Isle, Leeds LS11 5DJ Deadline for entry: 23 August 2026 Competitor Information: Referee: Results [Document to be provided] Initiative [Document to be provided] Manage Cookie Preferences